Nuneaton Queens Hall FM / It Bites / Vega

22 March 2013

FM Tour Diary: Nuneaton Queens Hall - 22 March 2013

Another 9.30am wake up and Jick and I decide to track down a Costa. Result, there's
one in the hotel. Not a proper one just a machine but it's bitterly cold outside
and we're a couple of wimps so it'll do the trick. We're leaving at midday for Nuneaton
and I'm fairly certain I've never been there in my life. The weather doesn't appear
to be as bad as the forecasters were predicting and the roads are fine. The notorious
M6 is clear but we still opt for the Toll just to be on the safe side.

We rock up at the Queens Hall just after 2pm. Richard has warned us that the PA spec
is a little dodgy but in Rich we trust, let me tell you the man is a genius on those
Darth Vaders. We have more VIP Pledgers joining us and I go and say hi to them all.

It's another intimate venue but it'll do the job. Richard has been struggling a bit
with the desk but he thinks he's got it working.

We're in the middle of our soundcheck and it's sounding pretty good until Mr O's
mic gives up the ghost and a rather large hum appears in the monitors. After 15 minutes
trying to rectify the problem it's obvious the desk is beyond repair. Chris our guitar
tech is on the case… he has sourced another desk from a local company and it should
be here in 20 minutes. It arrives, everyone pulls together despite a few fraught
moments… the gig is saved. Mucho respect to everyone involved.

I decide to check out what Nuneaton has to offer. I venture out but it's freezing
cold and snowing so I head straight back in again. Next time Nuneaton. We have a
rather splendid vantage point just outside our dressing room overlooking the venue
and stage, Vega are on so I watch their show, very good it was too boys. Sweet. I
do the same when It Bites are on and they are their usual majestic selves.

That means it's time to get ready for our show. As with the previous six shows we
gather side-stage awaiting the house lights to go down. When they finally do we hear
a big cheer, this always gets the adrenaline pumping and the cast of "It Ain't Half
Hot Mum" burst into song on our intro tape. I ease my way behind the kit… the place
is packed it's going to be another hot and sweaty one. Despite all the earlier problems
it's sounding pretty good on stage. The crowd are singing their hearts out, the
boys are smiling, all is well. It's another great gig. I didn't know it before but
I do now… Nuneaton rocks.

We're staying in Hemel Hempstead tonight in hopefully our last ever Travelodge. Premier
Inns have the big thumbs up from band and crew. We leave the venue and walk out into
a winter wonderland. It's been snowing fairly heavily and still is, and it's settled.
Driving conditions are not ideal but with JD behind the wheel we battle through and
arrive safely in Hemel Hempstead about 2am. I'm quite tired and despite there being
an open bar I opt for bed instead… I must be getting old.